Bryan Robson wants Old Trafford to drum up the spirit of 1984 to rescue United's European hopes on Thursday night against Liverpool.

The Reds pitiful performance at Anfield that sees them go into the last 16 home leg 2-0 down has revived memories of that unforgettable Cup Winners' Cup night 32 years ago this month against Barcelona.

Ron Atkinson's United were two down from their first leg against the might of Barca in the Nou Camp.

But Diego Maradona and co were overturned in Manchester and Captain Marvel's two-goal personal display drove United to a sensational 3-0 victory and aggregate success.

And Robbo believes Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool team's advantage from the Merseyside debacle can similarly be turned from despair to triumph for Louis van Gaal's side.

“Everybody at the club is disappointed at the moment. But we've still got a great opportunity to be successful,” said Robson.

“I think the Liverpool game is going to be a real difficult game to turn around, but it is still there for them to achieve.

Liverpool score their second at Anfield to leave United with a mountain to climb

“I think what they've got to do is concentrate on getting it back to 2-0. Don't be thinking you've got to win the game 3-0 right from the off. If it's got to go into extra-time, so be it, that's the best way for the boys to go into the game.

“It would be nice to score a goal in the first half. You've got to go for the game, but you don't want to be allowing Liverpool to score because then that would be the end of the game.

“The records show that when a team takes a 2-0 lead into a game, whether it's away from home or not, it's very difficult to pull that back.

“It would be United's greatest win over Liverpool if we do it and we did it against Barcelona, so it shows it is doable. Everything has got to go right for you.

“That's going to be a tough ask for the players, but it can be done. If David de Gea had not made a couple of outstanding saves, we would be out of the competition. Everybody said it was a real poor performance. Liverpool out worked us. They out fought us. Our passing game just wasn't there. We didn't do anything well. All you can say is it's got to improve.

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“For us to turn it round, everything has got to be in our favour. We've got to have that little bit of good fortune and all our better players on top form because if they are not on top form, we're not going to get a result.”

Old Trafford can also help. The frenzied atmosphere in '84 when Barca were overturned is arguably the best the stadium has ever produced.

Anfield was a cauldron last Thursday and a Stretford End inspired intimidating night can be a winner for United.

“For me that night in 1984 was the best atmosphere inside of Old Trafford that I've witnessed. It was a great night to come back against a top team like Barcelona and beat them 3-0,” added Robson.

“The fans have always got a part to play. If they get right behind the team, players respond to that. Big players love a great atmosphere, especially on your home soil. If you get that atmosphere going and we get an early goal, then it can be done.

“One of the things that always amused me on that night, I got a phone call from Trevor Francis, who was playing for Sampdoria. They were playing in Europe the next night. They were all in a hotel watching our game and Trevor said he had to phone me because every single player says you lot are on drugs!

“That was because of the energy we put into the game.”

*Bryan Robson was speaking at an event launching a global partnership between Manchester United and Gulf Oil international.